Daring to be different

Nissan, a strong player in the Australian four-wheel-drive game, is moving upmarket with a new luxury model. But be prepared for a shock, writes Bob Jennings.

Daring to be different

14 March 2004Bob Jennings

The world's weirdest four-wheel-drive is coming to a showroom near you. Once described as a cross between a turtle and an Audi TT, the Nissan Murano – has been a hit in the US and Nissan thinks the fad might take off in Australia.

With sales of recreational four-wheel-drives booming, the stylists are going to extremes to make their creations look different. And there are none as different as the Murano.

When the wraps came off the vehicle at the Melbourne Motor Show, the surprise was that it's not a fanciful concept but a production model, and not only that, but it's likely to be parked next to Nissan Pulsars.

The vehicle has sculpted, rakish lines that are vastly different from the bluff, squared appearance of such Nissan stalwarts as the Patrol, Pathfinder and even the latest X-Trail.

Nissan Australia managing director Leon Daphne said he was in the process of "twisting a few arms" in Japan to have the vehicle on the market here early next year.

He estimates the price would be between "$50,000 and $60,000" and be "very competitive" in the luxury recreational four-wheel-drive market. It will compete with the $71,390 Lexus RX330 and the BMW X3, which will go on sale in July for $67,900, within the same range as is projected for the Murano.

Daphne said sales targets for the Murano were "a modest 200 to 250 a month", which would nevertheless rival the sales of last year's luxury four-wheel-drive market leader, the BMW X5.

He said the Murano would be different to the new Pathfinder, which is due to be replaced next year.

"I would hope to have an advantage in performance as well as price," he said, pointing out that the 3.5-litre twin-cam V6 in the Murano is from the same engine family as in the 350Z sports coupe and the latest Maxima. The engine has been listed in the Ward's Automotive 10 best engines in the world for the past 10 years.

The Murano has four-wheel independent suspension and a new all-wheel-drive system, while the tailgate is made from advanced composite plastics and reinforced steel.

The interior styling takes its cues from the 350Z, and the instrument panel includes some polished aluminium trim.

The Murano is a five-seater, made in Japan. Although it is built only in left-hand-drive at present, right-hand-drive is in the production plan.

Daphne said that when it arrives in Australia it will carry a high level of standard equipment.